Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin announced he will run for mayor — challenging Mayor Andrew Ginther — who is seeking a fourth term.
Hardin made the announcement on Columbus' south side Thursday, setting up what will likely be a competitive election between the two longtime city politicians. Hardin first took elected office after being appointed to Columbus City Council in 2014.
Hardin quickly rose to become Columbus City Council's president in 2018, when now-City Attorney Zach Klein left council.
Hardin has made not-so-subtle hints for months that he would run for mayor and has increasingly criticized Ginther's decisions in the past year. Hardin raised concerns about the city's budget, while also calling for more funding for the Columbus Promise initiative and homeless shelters.
Hardin also criticized the initial deal Ginther negotiated to bring a National Women's Soccer League team to Columbus.
The deal still gave McCoy Park to the Haslam Sports Group along with $50 million, split evenly between the city and the county. Outraged residents criticized the plan for forfeiting the park that has been slated to become a therapeutic recreation space for people with disabilities.
Hardin ended up tweaking Ginther's deal with the Haslam Sports Group, but kept the key details intact. Hardin and city council added provisions to require new parkland on the southwest side alongside other funding mechanisms.
Ginther is holding a press conference at the same time as Hardin on Thursday to discuss flooding in the city. The mayor sent a statement ahead of Hardin's announcement, reacting to the news.
"I welcome Council President Hardin to the race. A healthy democracy is built on people stepping forward to serve and giving voters choices. From making Columbus a national leader in affordable housing, attaining the fastest growing wages in the Midwest, and reducing violent crime to the lowest rate in nearly two decades, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and look forward to presenting my positive vision for the work still ahead," Ginther said.
"Until then, my focus remains where it should be: serving the people of Columbus by tackling the issues families care about most and doing everything I can to help Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown win this November," Ginther continued.
Hardin would run the same year his council seat is up for reelection, leaving an open seat for candidates in District 9, which covers parts of east and southeast Columbus.
Ginther's campaign has more than $1.7 million in the bank ahead of his reelection campaign in 2027. In new campaign finance documents filed in July, Ginther leads the pack among potential candidates.
Notably, the third-term mayor received $16,000 from executives at the Haslam Sports Group, three months after Ginther finalized the NWSL deal.
Hardin had more than $400,000 in his campaign account. He recently flew to Martha's Vineyard for a campaign fundraiser.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, who has attended fundraisers for Ginther, also has large cash reserves totaling more than $1 million.
Besides Hardin, it is unclear who else, if anyone, may try to challenge Ginther next year.
This is a developing story.
